My Three-Day Uthark Journey with Dagaz

I don't think it's by chance I found that I didn't have time to sit down on three separate days to blog about this rune—Dagaz does like its threshold moments.

Uthark vs Futhark: Dagaz in the Numbering

For my 72-day Uthark journey, I’m working with Dagaz as the 22nd rune in the Uthark. In the traditional Futhark sequence, it lands in the 23rd slot, but like Edred Thorsson, I’m firmly in the camp that Othala belongs at the end. The logic is clean: Othala represents the culmination, the ancestral return, the completion of the journey. Dagaz, by contrast, is the portal of light — the flash — the breakthrough moment that tumbles us towards that culmination. In the Tarot, Dagaz corresponds with Judgement and Othala with The World, so we see the same sequence there.

Positioning Dagaz as 22 in the Uthark reflects its initiatory character. After the descent and reintegration phases of the Uthark journey, Dagaz becomes the moment of reversal, the pivot where Light floods in and the Self recognises itself anew. The energetic flavour is awakening, transformation, and seeing what you can never unsee in the future. It isn’t an ending—it’s the moment before the ending when everything becomes possible.

In the standard Futhark order, placing Dagaz as the 24th rune no longer resonates for me because its essence isn’t finality. It’s the threshold. It’s the breaking of night. Let Othala finish the tale—Dagaz opens the gates. And, of course, in the Uthark, Fehu gets the final say.

My Dagaz Rune Tarot Reading

For this reading, I'm working with the Dagaz Rune Tarot Spread and the African American Tarot (affiliate link).

1. How I reflect the Light through me – Talents/Gifts of the Spirit

Confidence, charisma, creative fire — the Queen of Wands is the capacity to radiate without apology. She’s the spiritual extrovert even when the rest of the chart says introvert. This card reminds me that Light pours more freely through me when I allow myself to be fully, visibly alive.

2. Where I need to go deeper to clear the path for the Light – Where the separate self casts shadows

The 8 of Pentacles is the subtle perfectionist in the workshop. My attention to detail is normally a gift, but it becomes a shadow when it turns into hyper-vigilance or self-criticism. Dagaz here points to a clearing: work steadily, yes, but drop the anxious checking that dims the Light.

3. What I must surrender to make way for the Light

A funny one to surrender until you sit with it. The Star here feels like surrendering the idealised, dissociated Self—the one who’s supposed to be endlessly serene, endlessly healing, endlessly aligned. It’s the invitation to stop trying to be the curated version and simply receive the Light as I am.

4. My foundation of Light – What I’ve created and can keep building on

Long-term vision. The ability to spot direction before the path is paved. This foundation is forward-moving, confident, and built on experience. The Light has momentum here. I am aware of at least some of the pitfalls to avoid, and I recognise the importance of good relationships.

5. How I hide my light – The things I do so I won’t have to reflect it

Oh look, it’s the “accidental arsonist” card. When things get too bright, I can apparently still hit the self-destruct button out of old habit. The Tower here points to dramatic exits, unnecessary ruptures, or suddenly withdrawing when visibility ramps up.

6. How I share my Light – My impact on the world around me

The Hermit is the spiritual guide archetype: the lantern-bearer. My Light is quieter than my Queen of Wands flair suggests on the surface—it’s contemplative, analytical, and designed to illuminate the path for others. Not flashy. Steady.

7. Where the Light is guiding me next – Next steps on my spiritual journey

A fresh cycle, new terrain, more trust than planning. The Fool feels like a call to leap into the next phase of creative and spiritual work without waiting for guarantees. 

8. A Divine whisper – Continuation of the message above

Integration, alchemy, pacing. If The Fool is the leap, Temperance is the landing—the blending, the harmonisation, the realignment of energies. This whisper says the next step requires both courage and equilibrium. A leap, yes, but one rooted in a vision of a harmonious future.

I experienced a breakthrough during my three days with Dagaz, but I'm not ready to share much, other than to say that it means a course correction on my DrakRuna Path in terms of who I will work the most closely with...

Love,
Lisa